The Effects of Second hand Smoke

     Exposure to secondhand smoke causes many of the same tobacco-related diseases and premature
death as active smoking, including increasing nonsmokers’ heart disease, stroke and cancer risk. In addition to causing lung cancer and heart disease, secondhand smoke increases the risk for
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe
asthma.

     Before New York City implemented its smoke-free ordinance, an air quality survey conducted by
the New York State Department of Health found that air pollution levels in bars permitting
smoking were as much as 50 times greater than pollution levels at the Holland Tunnel entrance
during rush hour.